Sunday, October 28, 2012

I really mean when the Hubby’s away! Hubby is off at Fire Camp, playing Fire Engines so I've been enjoying the house to myself.

Various Fire Vehicles from around Northland, before heading off to Fire Camp

So I decided that I'd quilt my second "Made in Cherry" star quilt. It's so nice not having to stop to cook meals etc!

I have been putting this off as I couldn't decide how to quilt it. But in the end I chose very simple quilting, not too dense so that the quilt will be nice and soft when finished.

Quilting in the ditch around the red star.

I just bounced around the red squares (freemotion), then stitched in the ditch around the outside of the star. For the background I decided that loopy loops would work.

Loopy loop quilting on the yellow background.

The quilting is not perfect, but I like how it's getting better. Freemotion is really about practise, and I have to remind myself that it takes time. I do like what I'm doing, and I'm enjoying it! And that's what quilting is for me. Having fun and making stuff, not creating perfection.

All Quilted! Squaring up and binding next.

When I took these photos off my camera, I also found these from last weekend. They are of the R Tucker Thompson sailing boat. It sailed from Onerahi wharf to Little Munro Bay last weekend. Hubby was disappointed that all the tickets had been sold before he heard about it, so we didn't sail. But we did go and see it off. I was pleased we didn't go that day as it was overcast with rain threatening as you can see from the sky. Not like this weekend it is so sunny it feels like Summer and not Spring.

'Star Dreamer' by Jennifer Cullen, a Lone Star made for her cousin. Jennifer started with a pattern from a magazine, but then added her own border design.

A close up of one of Jane's embroidered blocks.

'I Do Love to be Beside the Seaside' by Janet Greeks. Janet designed the quilt around the squares of nautical fabric she purchased from the Country Yard.

Helen Barnes made this batik beauty to use some six inch squares from Tulis Fabrics. The pattern is by Susan Claire.

Helen Barron made this quilt for an 18 year old girl in her family. I'm sure she will love it, the colours are just beautiful (photo doesn't do them justice!) Beautifully hand quilted as usual by Helen.

'Country Pieces' by Jennifer Cullen. Made for her Brother with fabric scraps from her Sister. A real family project!

Lily on the deck. Lily is Fiona's Foxy/Corgi cross

View looking right.

Donna taking a photo of me taking photos :-)

Two men, a dog, one caravan and tractor

It was common to see boats being towed, but we also saw caravans and a horse and cart. It was like going back in time really.
I was a bit slow to grab the camera to catch the horse and cart, but here it is in the distance!

Horse and cart!

Working on piecing together my 'Sparkle Punch' quilt I fed the units through the machine upside down!
No unpicking was required though, just snipping the connecting chain piecing threads, and rearranging the units. (2nd Photo) See it all makes sense now

Up the right way!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Yesterday I decided to get out my Sparkle Punch blocks out and decide where all the stars would go.
The last time I tried to do this Oscar was a bit too helpful (I know he looks innocent here) but he was NOT! Also my knees were sore. In a silly moment I did some Gangnam Style dancing, and I'd not recommend the 'horsey bit' as it is especially hard on the knees! Anyway....

Temporary design wall

So to save my knees I thought I would make a temporary design wall by pegging some batting to my lounge curtains. Can you see my laptop on the couch?

Bonnie on Quilt Cam

As I was laying out blocks I was watching Bonnie Hunter's live stream. She does these every few days, sits and sews in her studio. As it is live she stops and answers questions from her blog comments. It's fun to watch, makes you feel like you are having a sewing day with a friend.

Pins!

I had to start using pins to keep the blocks attached. If the batting had been against a hard surface I wouldn't have had to use them, but as the batting was on the curtains I needed pins. Annoying but better than crawling around on the floor!

Happy with this layout

I didn't want half or quarter stars around the edges, so cut extra grey squares to complete the quilt top.

Left over scraps.

I needed 60 grey squares to complete the top. I had just enough fabric left to cut them. LUCKY!

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About Me

Hi I'm Leeann & this blog is mostly about Quilting, but other stuff slips in now and then too!
I'm an active member of the Whangarei Patchworkers & Quilters Club, so there's a lot of Club news also (because I like promoting the Club and Quilting).
I have been Quilting since 1996, and enjoy most types of Quilting, by hand and machine. Recently I have been enjoying a little bit of hand embroidery too.
If you'd like to email me the address is in my profile.